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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malai Arasi Sakthi

From Vijeya · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari
Music director
G. Devarajan
Movie name
Vijeya
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
17 Nov 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi
Intha mandalam engum un arasaatchi
Kulamagalir thamakku kannkaatchi
Avar kulaththukkum kunaththukkum nee saatchi
Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi
Intha mandalam engum un arasaatchi
Kulamagalir thamakku kannkaatchi
Avar kulaththukkum kunaththukkum nee saatchi
My life modern life
Sweet life and happy life
Naagareegam en deivam
Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam
kalaigalum pudhiya nilaigalum kandu
Iravilum antha nilavilum aadum
Ada naagareegam en deivam
Adakkaththilae pirantha panpaadu
Nee aliththathilae valarntha thennaadu
Silappathikaaram ennum pugazh yaedu kanda
Selvangal vaazhuvathum un veedu
Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi…
Modern life is jolly
Udai maaruvathum pudhu paani
Vaaliparudanae aattam
Idhu vasantha kaala thottam
Koondhalai vetti aangalai thottu
Aadinaal maeni thullum
Kondu vaa kinnam oottruven innum
Kinnamae bodhai kollum
Naagareegam en deivam
Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam
Saththiya kungumaththil naan vaazha
Antha tharumaththin naayaganin pugazh sera
Sakthiyammaa unathu thunai vendum
Enthan santhathiyum perumai pera vendum
Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi…
Sikkena idaiyai kulukku
Sivantha idhazhaal mayakku
Jappan naattai ninaiththu
Tamizhar naattai thiruththu
Pazhamai maraiya pudhumai malara paadupadu
Naagareegam en deivam
Pudhu nadanamae enthan selvam
Bharatha kalaikalukku thaai neeyae
Female :Aangila pengalin
Paathaiyil maarattum innaadu
Female :Tamil paattukkum pechukkum thalai neeyae
Female :Caprae nadanam shake-kkum twisttum neeyaadu
Kaaviya naayagi
Kannkanda deivamae
Un kaavalilae ennai valarppaayae
Queen of the mountains, Shakti Meenakshi,
Across this entire realm is your divine rule,
A wonderful vision for noble women to behold,
You stand as witness to their family honor and virtue.
Queen of the mountains, Shakti Meenakshi,
Across this entire realm is your divine rule,
A wonderful vision for noble women to behold,
You stand as witness to their family honor and virtue.
My life is a modern life,
A sweet life and a happy life!
Modern trends are my god,
New dances are my true wealth.
Discovering new arts and latest trends,
Dancing through the night and under the moonlight.
Yes, modern trends are my god!
Our culture was born from modesty and grace,
The southern land grew from the blessings you gave,
Celebrated in the famed epic Silappadikaram,
All true treasures reside in your holy home.
Queen of the mountains, Shakti Meenakshi...
Modern life is full of fun,
Changing fashions is the newest style,
Dancing along with young men,
This life is a blossoming spring garden!
Bobbing our hair and dancing close with men,
The body leaps with excitement as we dance!
Bring the cup, I will pour even more,
Until the cup itself gets drunk!
Modern trends are my god,
New dances are my true wealth.
Living with the sacred red mark of virtue,
Bringing honor to my righteous husband,
Mother Shakti, I need your grace beside me,
So that my future generations achieve great pride.
Queen of the mountains, Shakti Meenakshi...
Shake that slender waist with style,
Enchant the world with bright red lips,
Look toward modern lands like Japan,
And reform our Tamil land!
Strive to let the old fade and the new blossom!
Modern trends are my god,
New dances are my true wealth.
You are the mother of classical Bharatanatyam dance,
Following the style of Western women,
Let this land transform along their path!
You are the sovereign of Tamil song and speech,
Go on and dance the cabaret, the shake, and the twist!
Heroine of timeless epics,
O goddess seen right before our eyes,
Protect and guide me under your watchful care.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This dynamic duet represents a fascinating stylistic and philosophical clash between traditional Tamil culture and modern Westernized lifestyle, a common trope in 1970s Tamil cinema. One perspective devoutly praises Goddess Meenakshi, upholding humility, classic literature like Silappathikaram, and traditional family virtues as the core identity of the Tamil land. The opposing voice celebrates modernity, modern fashion, pop dancing, Western freedom, and radical modern social reform. Through this lyrical debate, lyricist Kannadasan brilliantly captures the cultural evolution and generational shift taking place in Tamil society during that era.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Malaiyarasi sakthi meenaatchi / Intha mandalam engum un arasaatchi”

In Tamil prosody, the second letter of consecutive lines rhymes. 'Malaiyarasi' and 'Intha' use matching rhythm, and 'meenaatchi' pairs with 'arasaatchi'.

Juxtaposition (Muran)

“Pazhamai maraiya pudhumai malara paadupadu”

The lyricist places ancient traditional piety ('Saththiya kungumaththil naan vaazha') alongside western modernism ('Caprae nadanam shake-kkum twisttum') to create artistic dynamic contrast.

Code-Mixing (English-Tamil blend)

“Modern life is jolly / Udai maaruvathum pudhu paani”

English words like 'modern life', 'jolly', 'twist', and 'shake' are woven into Tamil verse to characterize modern Western trends.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 1970s Tamil film music, duets featuring P. Susheela and L. R. Eswari were popular choices for contrasting traditional/classical characters (sung by Susheela) with trendy, modern, or cabaret characters (sung by L. R. Eswari).

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